EVERTON VS WEST HAM UNITED – TACTICAL PREVIEW

EVERTON RECORD 2017/18 SEASON

Games played PL: 13

W: 3

D: 3

L: 7

GF: 13

GA: 28

GD: –15

@ Home

Games Played PL: 6

W: 3

D: 0

L: 3

GF: 8

GA: 12

GD: -4

Facing each other on Wednesday, West Ham and Everton could not be in a more disappointing position. In fact, there are many things in common with the two sides’ campaign in this year’s Premier League. Both clubs had their managers sacked after poor starts of the season. On the one hand, West Ham promptly signed David Moyes after Slaven Bilic’s sack, whereas Everton are still looking to replace Ronald Koeman, with David Unsworth taking the role as caretaker manager.

Nevertheless, things seem to be worse for the Liverpool club. After seeing the approach for Marco Silva rejected, they now seem to recognize they are involved in a relegation battle and are (again) in talks with Sam Allardyce. Furthermore, the Blues had an absolutely embarrassing performance in the Europa League, losing four of their five home games, including a last week’s defeat to Atalanta by 5-1.

Having spent £142,38 M in transfers this year, only Jordan Pickford and, arguably, Gylfi Sigurdsson, seem to live up to the expectations. On the other hand, Wayne Rooney, who scored four from 11 games, has only played 67 minutes in their last three games.

Everton’s favourite formation is a 4-4-2. However, in their last game at St. Mary’s Stadium, in their 4-1 defeat to Southampton, they seemed to be playing in a 4-5-1, which may be due to the absence of Niasse, who is also out for the clash with the Hammers.

How I’d expect Everton to lineup Wednesday.

Having watched their game against Southampton, their clear weakness is their defence. Charlie Austin scored two headers in the middle of two experienced centre-backs, Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka, who looked like two rookies in the Premier League. Defensively, Kenny’s performance was a disaster too, with Tadic and Bertrand contributing for three of the four Southampton goals (3 assists and 1 goal).

On the other hand, Sigurdsson is clearly their most fearful player. Although it seems that he does not fit in the team, looking sometimes lost in the pitch, individually, the Icelandic is a magnificent player and the goal scored last Sunday shows exactly that. Moreover, Calvert-Lewin is one of those annoying strikers who runs non-stop all game, and can create some danger with the ball. Furthermore, Pickford, surprisingly, has been one of Everton’s best players, notwithstanding the goals conceded.

As mentioned above, Niasse will not play against the Hammers, due to the two-match ban for diving against Crystal Palace. He is also joined by Barkley, Bolasie, Coleman, Keane, McCarthy and Funes Mori who are recovering from injury. Everton’s capitain Leighton Baines and Holgate are both in doubt for Wednesday’s game.